Vikings fade after halftime in loss to Norwell

Saturday, March 1, 2014 11:47 AM

A close game at intermission got away from the Huntington North High School boys' varsity basketball team in the second half, as the Vikings lost to host Norwell in their regular season finale, 63-49, on Friday, Feb. 28.

Coach Rob Irwin's squad trailed 18-12 after the first quarter and 35-30 at halftime before getting blitzed in the third frame, 18-9, to land in a 53-39 hole. Norwell, 16-6, held Huntington North to 10 points in the final period while tossing in 10 of its own to seal the win.

Huntington North shot 18 for 43 from the field for 41.9 percent, which included a lackluster 4 for 14 showing from beyond the arc for 28.6 percent. At the free throw line, the Vikings went 9 for 14 for 64.3 percent.

Behind Piercen Harnish's game-high 10 rebounds, Norwell surpassed Huntington North on the glass, 37-22, which yielded 15 second chance points for the hosts to only four for the visitors.

The Knights' Drew Shively led all scorers with 21 points on 9 of 14 shooting. Austin Hayden supplied 17 points and David Vogel added 16 as Norwell converted 23 of 51 field goals for 45.1 percent and 14 of 17 freebies for 82.4 percent.

The Huntington North junior varsity lost a 38-37 squeaker. The Vikings led 14-6 after one and 27-23 at the break, but the Knights evened things to 33-33 after three periods and tossed in five points to Huntington North's four in the final frame for the win.

Freshman Hunter Hollowell produced nine points and three assists for the Vikings while fellow frosh Chazz Bruce contributed eight points and six rebounds.